State submits application to appeal Pistorius sentence

The National Prosecuting authority (NPA) said that the State has filed its appeal against both the culpable homicide conviction and five-year prison sentence of Oscar Pistorius after he shot and killed his girlfriend, law graduate and model Reeva Steenkamp.

“Today, we announce that the NPA filed the application for leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence. The appeal on conviction is based on the question of law,” said NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube.

“The merits of the NPA’s argument in this regard are contained in the papers that were filed with the registrar of the North Gauteng high court today,” he said in a statement.

“This means that the matter is now officially sub judice and consequently the NPA will not be able to discuss the matter publicly until judgment is delivered by the court.”

Last week, the NPA said that State prosecutor Gerrie Nel and advocate Andrea Johnson had been studying the judgment, doing research and consulting legal experts to establish if there were sufficient grounds to appeal both the judgment and sentence.

Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide by Judge Thokozile Masipa on September 12, and on October 21, received a prison sentence of a maximum of five years. – Sapa

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